Last Thameslink ‘700’ EMU ready for Wildenrath tests
THE final Class 700 has been completed by Siemens in Krefeld, Germany, meaning that all 115 electric multiple units ordered by the Department for Transport for the Thameslink programme have now been built.
Eight-car 700060 was the last to roll off the production line, and will move to Wildenrath for testing before moving to the UK by May. It means 1,140 vehicles have been built. Rail Minister Jo Johnson called the completion of 700060 “an important milestone” in the Thameslink programme. During peak production at Krefeld two vehicles per day were completed.
The first ‘700’ was completed some five years ago, and the EMUs entered traffic with Govia Thameslink Railway in June 2016, and as of March 9 there were 102 in the UK (996 vehicles) of which 99 were in traffic. Siemens says 68 trains per day are in traffic, completing around 800,000 miles per month. The fleet has achieved 8.5 million miles in traffic so far. The manufacturer said the 100th set was due to be accepted by GTR as this issue of RAIL went to press, with all 115 due to be available by traffic this summer. In the UK the latest ‘700’ to enter traffic was 700057 on March 12, leaving 700048/053 and 700136 to be accepted.
Vernon Barker, managing director of rolling stock for the Mobility Division at Siemens UK, said: “The Class 700 is a digital train for a digital age which doesn’t just provide much-needed extra capacity on the Thameslink network. It is also delivering a step change in passenger experience through advanced data-driven technology which significantly enhances customer service information and train maintenance management.”
Gerry McFadden, engineering director for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “These state-ofthe-art trains are a key part of our RailPlan 20/20 modernisation plans to increase capacity and connectivity on Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern – Britain’s most congested railway.”
The Class 700s enabled GTR to withdraw its Class 319 fleet last autumn, and transfer 29 Class 387/1s to its Great Northern operations. The Class 377/5 fleet used on the Thameslink route has moved to Southeastern.
Steve Timothy, client relations director at Eversholt Rail, said: “The final train rolling off the Krefeld production line in a timely way marks a significant achievement for all parties and is testament to our great collaboration.”
The trains are owned by Cross London Trains, with Eversholt Rail supplying support. In addition to manufacturing the trains, Siemens is designing and installing the signalling for Thameslink, due to be completed in May.